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unˈthrift, n. (and a.)
[un-1 4 a, 12. Cf. wanthrift.]
†1. A malpractice; a defect or fault in conduct.
1303R. Brunne Handl. Synne 12339 Þer ys an vnþryfte Þat doþ moche skaþe yn shryfte. c1430Pilgr. Lyf Manhode ii. cxxii. (1869) 121 Þis mantelle..was maad for to..mantelle with my defautes, and consele myne vnthriftes.
2. Want of thrift or economy; neglect of thriving or doing well; † dissolute conduct, loose behaviour, impropriety.
13..E.E. Allit. P. B. 516 Hit is sothe, þat alle mannez wyttez To vn-þryfte arn alle þrawen with þoȝt of her herttez. c1374Chaucer Troylus iv. 431 To don his wo to falle, He rought nought what vnthrift þat he seyde. c1400Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton, 1483) iii. viii. 55 These ben the children of tristesse,..ful of ydelnes and al maner vnthrifte. a1475G. Ashby Dicta Philos. 469 That the myddyl of your liffe be not spent In ydelnesse, ne in vnthrifte myswent. 1483Cath. Angl. 385/2 Wn Thryfte, deuigencia.
1721Kelly Sc. Proverbs 250 Many one blames their Wife, for their own unthrift. 1830Carlyle Misc. (1840) II. 320 The Hof public openly finding her guilty of Unthrift. 1860All Year Round No. 53. 62 No idleness was allowed in her house; no unthrift, no useless dawdlings. 1887American XIV. 23 Both fell an easy prey to every adverse circumstance which poverty and unthrift can offer.
3. An unthrifty († unthriving), shiftless, or dissolute person; a spendthrift, prodigal.
Freq. c 1520–1690. Occas. to play the unthrift.
c1330R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 7231 Go we now, & sle þat vnþrift. c1375Sc. Leg. Saints xl. (Ninian) 661 Þai..tretyt weile þat vnthrifte, til eld had it brocht fra schrifte. 1491Caxton Vitas Patr. (W. de W. 1495) i. cxl. 152 b/2 At theyr metynge togyder this Unthryft gaaf hym a buffeth. 1509Barclay Shyp of Folys 142 b, A folysshe man rurall If he a churle, a fole and vnthrift be, The more he loketh to come to hye degree. 1556Chron. Grey Friars (Camden) 73 Vacobondes that wold not labor, but play the unthryftes. a1602W. Perkins Cases Consc. (1619) 74 The young vnthrift in the Gospell, called the Prodigall child. 1639Fuller Holy War 124 If he played the unthrift with this golden occasion. 1693Dryden Persius iv. 237 Shall I..My Friends disgrace, And be the first lewd Unthrift of my Race? 1765Blackstone Comm. I. 295 When a man on an inquest of idiocy hath been returned an unthrift and not an idiot, no farther proceedings have been had. 1821Scott Kenilw. xxxi, The Earl of Oxford, a young unthrift, whom Foster had more than once accommodated with loans. 1862Sir H. Cairns in Times 2 Jan., The Roman law made no distinction between unthrifts and idiots.
fig.1571E. Wollay Pl. Pathway 14 Wee know what thanckes wee owe to God for all his giftes; Yet contrary we showe to him ourselves unthriftes. 1654Gataker Disc. Apol. 18 As we count him a bad Husband, that foloweth game on the Market-day, so may we as wel count him a spiritual unthrift, that spends the Sabbath in that sort.
†b. One who is prodigal of something. Obs.
1640Quarles Enchyrid. i. xciii, Fury..being an unthrift of its owne strength. a1659in Bann. Club Misc. (1827) 324, I do confess thou 'rt sweet, yet find Thee such an unthrift of thy sweets. 1666Spurstow Spir. Chym. lix. 175 The most of men are such unthrifts of time.
4. attrib. or as adj. Prodigal, spendthrift.
a1562G. Cavendish Wolsey (1893) 45 Thow hast allwayes byn a prowd, presumpcious, disdaynfull, and a very onthryft waster. 1592Nashe P. Penilesse A ij b, Sir Rowland Russet-coat..hath much adoo..to keepe his vnthrift elbowes in reparations. 1596Shakes. Merch. V. v. i. 16 In such a night Did Iessica steale from the wealthy Iewe, And with an Vnthrift Loue did runne from Venice. 1650Vaughan Silex Scint., Regeneration vi, The unthrift Sunne shot vitall gold A thousand peeces. 1865A. Cary Ballads, etc. 66 When I met a man, unthrift and lorn. 1869Lowell Cathedral 142 This unthrift housekeeping that will not brook A dish warmed-over at the feast of life.
Hence unˈthrift-like a. or adv.
1603Heywood Wom. Killed w. Kindn. (1617) D 4 b, Now Nichlas you want money; And vnthrift-like would eate into your wages. |